Juárez: A Documentary Mythology, by Theater Mitu

“Juárez: A Documentary Mythology” will be at the NACL Theatre in Highland Lake, NY on Saturday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Contributed photo

October 30, 2013 —

HIGHLAND LAKE, NY — International theatre company Theater Mitu will bring “Juárez: A Documentary Mythology” to NACL Theatre on Saturday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m. The performance is a theatrical exploration of a place in conflict and its mythology, created from a series of interviews, experiences and research in and around Ciudad Juárez, Mexico over the past two years. The play is created by Theater Mitu in collaboration with citizens of Cd. Juárez/El Paso, and led by Juárez-born and raised director Rubén Polendo.

As the model of post-national, global dynamics continues to advance, one city, Ciudad Juárez, has become the “Murder Capital of the World.” Drawn by the vortex of questions within and around Cd. Juárez, Theater Mitu is creating a piece with and about its citizens; an exploration of, and collaboration with, their memories and hopes.

A key component of the presentation will be addressing material that by its very nature is bilingual. For the very first time in Mitu history, artistic director Rubén Polendo will engage in the performance, lending his voice and presence onstage. The company plans to experiment with the use of an onstage translation booth, with Polendo inside, to recount, translate and add personal connection to the Spanish language portions of the documentary material. Communicating with the performers via in-ear headsets and microphone, Polendo will act as an almost medium, channeling thoughts, voice and language through to the actors as surrogate for the Spanish-speaking representatives of the community.

“Strange, beautiful… lyrical… dreamy,” said Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times.